Apparatus for continuously producing curled yarns



P. CALIZZANO 3,147,578 APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCING CURLED YARNS Sept. 8, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 13, 1962 lnvenlor PIERRE CALITZANO y Ma... M7-+ A w ttorneys 3,147,578 APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCING CURLED YARNS Filed Aug. 13, 1962 P. CALIZZANO Sept. 8, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gga E R RE m EM QGNm N Kw Inventor Pl EIRRE cALl'nA M 6131.

A ttorney:

Sept. 8, 1964 P. CALIZZANO' 3,147,578

APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCING CURLED YARNS Filed Aug. 13, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet 3 PIIBECALITLANO M i ml rvw Attorneys United States Patent 3,147,57 8 APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCING CURLED YARNS Pierre Calizzano, Brillon-en-Ban'ois, Meuse, France,

assignor to Societe Rhovyl, Paris, France, a corporation of France Filed Aug. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 216,620 Claims priority, application France Aug. 18, 1961 8 Claims. (Cl. 57-34) This invention relates to a machine for the continuous production of curled yarn. Curled yarns, for the purpose of the present specification, are yarns which are so shaped as to have, in the absence of any applied force, the form of a substantially cylindrical helical coil.

As used herein the term yarn includes any continuous textile yarn composed either of cut fibres or of one or more continuous filaments, the constituent elements being of the same or different composition, count or appearance, and being assembled by any method usual in the textile industry, and being such that the yarn can, by an appropriate treatment, be made to retain permanently the form which it has during this treatment.

In the case of thermoplastic yarns, the simplest setting treatment is a heat treatment carried out at a temperature sufficient to permit the rearrangement of the macromolecules and the stress relief of the yarn. Generally heatset-ting is carried out at a temperature below the softening point of the material constituting the yarn and under conditions such that no appreciable flow occurs in the course of this treatment. Other set-ting methods are known, which are less commonly employed, but are applicable to particular cases, such as cross-linking (by irradiation, grafting or vulcanization), setting of the shape by a hardenable binder or softening followed by hardening of the yarn, for example the action of a thioacid on keratin.

The production of curled yarns usually consists in winding a yarn on a spindle and setting the shape of the wound yarn by means of an appropriate treatment. This manual method has two main disadvantages. The turns of the coil have a diameter varying from the centre of the periphcry of the coil and, more important, the spindle allows of treating only a limited length of yarn.

An apparatus has been proposed by means of which curled yarns can be continuously produced. In this apparatus, the yarn is wound under tension on a frustoconical or pyramidal mandrel such that the axial component of the said tension causes the wound yarn to slide towards the end of the mandrel. The successive turns of the wound yarn are thereafter guided through a setting apparatus and discharged. However, it has been found that such an apparatus produces loops of irregular diameter, which become entangled with each other and prevent further winding.

It has now been found that, contrary to expectation, it is possible to produce a curled yarn continuously without the yarn causing any stoppages even when using a substantially cylindrical mandrel.

In a machine according to the present invention, the yarn is wound on a core which is reciprocated relative to a sleeve surrounding the core upstream of the winding point, so that the relative movement between sleeve and core causes the yarn windings to be pushed along the core.

The new machine thus comprises a core and means for winding a yarn thereon, a sleeve surrounding the core at a point upstream of the winding point, means for producing relative axial reciprocation between the core and the sleeve whereby the convolutions of yarn wound on the core are moved longitudinally along the core and means for setting the yarn in the coiled form. The setting preferably takes place while the yarn is still on the core or on an extension thereof.

3,147,578 Patented Sept. 8, 1964 The sleeve may take the form of any mechanical member so shaped that it permits relative reciprocation of the core but at the same time prevents the turns of yarn from following the reciprocatory movement.

The axial movement of the core in relation to the sleeve may be effected in various ways. Thus the core may slide in a sleeve which is fixed (axially), the sleeve may slide along a core which is fixed (axially), or the two members may have opposite movements. The relative movement is not necessarily sinusoidal, but may conform to any practicable programme, depending upon the desired type of looping.

Although this is not essential, it is generally preferred that the core should be substantially cylindrical, whereby it is possible to obtain loops of very constant diameter.

In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the cross-section of the core, or at least that portion thereof which slides in the sleeve, is not a convex surface, but it has at least one and preferably at least three re-entrant portions defining an equal number of ribs substantially parallel to the axis of the core. The sleeve is machined to the same pattern and constitutes a circular comb of which the teeth will repel the wound yarns during the driving phase of the relative movement of the two parts. Such a configuration renders the installation and operation of this machine easier than with, for example, absolutely cylindrical cross-sections, because in the latter case the two parts have to be fitted with extreme precision. Eventually wear occurs in these parts and permits penetration of the yarn between them, resulting in the yarn being broken and possible stoppage of the mechanism.

The winding of the yarn on its core may be effected by any appropriate method. It is particularly simple to turn the core on itself. A non-rotating core may equally well be provided with a concentric winder, for example a hollow spindle of the type employed for lapping.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 shows in elevation and FIGURE 2 in crosssection one embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 3 shows a section and FIGURE 4 an end view of a suitable heat-setting oven,

FIGURE 5 an elevation and FIGURE 6 a section of a further embodiment of the invention, and

FIGURES 7 and 8 are sections, at right angles to each other, and on a larger scale, of the preferred longitudinally ribbed or toothed core and coacting interna ly toothed sleeve. FIGURE 7 is a cross-section on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 8.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, a sleeve 1 is bored to receive a core 2 fixed to a connecting member 4 within the sleeve and keyed thereto by a key 3 so as to permit relative longitudinal movement but prevent relative rotation. A hollow shaft 7 is provided with a driving groove or whorl 5 and rotates in bearings 25 in a pedestal housing 1%, the bearings being held in position by spacing members 26 and screw-threaded ring 15.

A connecting shaft 6 extends through the hollow spindle 7 and is keyed thereto by key 9 so asto be rotated by the spindle but to permit relative longitudinal movement. The shaft 6 terminates at one end in a housing within the sleeve 1, the housing accommodating ball bearings 17 held in position by screw-threaded ring 11a and serving to support connecting member 4 without imparting to it the rotation of the shaft 6. At its other end, shaft 6 is mounted in ball bearings 18 held in position in connecting rod 12 by screw-threaded ring 11. Rod 12 slides in an extension 31 of housing 19 and is bifurcated so as to slide about the shaft of a cam 8 provided with an eccentric groove coacting with pin 24) fixed in rod 12 to effect a reciprocating movement of rod 12, shaft 6, connecting member 4 and core 2.

The whorl 5 is provided with an extension 30 enveloping sleeve 1 and between the sleeve and the whorl extension bearings 24 are provided to permit the whorl to rotate without rotating the sleeve. The whorl extension and spindle are bored at 13 to provide a passageway for the yarn which connects with a further passageway in the shaft 6 and in connecting rod 12. At their junction between spindle and shaft one or both of the bore holes is countersunk so as to provide for the relative reciprocation of these members. For the same reason the orifice for the yarn through extension 31 is in the form of a slot. Yarn 27, from a bobbin 28 rotating on spindle 29, is thus drawn through the connecting rod 12, shaft 6, spindle 7 and whorl extension 30 to a winding point about the core 2. Rotation of the spindle 7 winds it on the core and the reciprocating movement of the sleeve 1 imparted by cam 8 pushes the windings longitudinally along the core.

The core 2 is provided with a guide rod 16 extending through an oven 14 for heat setting the yarn in the coiled form. The guide rod 16 may be turned over at the end to provide an eccentric weight serving to overcome the slight friction on the sleeve 1 of the bearings 24 and prevent its rotation. From the guide rod 16 the set helical yarn is allowed to fall into a rotating container.

As illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4 the oven 14 may be provided with guide rails 22 positioned below the guide rod 16 and serving to space the coils away from that rod. Such a device improves the quality of the loop setting.

FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which both core and sleeve rotate, the rotation of the core effecting the winding of the yarn on the core. The same reference numerals as with FIGURES 1 and 2 are used to denote like parts, the numerals being shown with a prime. As illustrated, the sleeve 1 is mounted in bearings 24' in a fixed housing and carries a grooved driving wheel or whorl 5'. The member 4 connecting the core 2' to the shaft 6' is keyed at 3' to the inside of the sleeve 1' so as to cause sleeve and core to rotate together, leaving the core free to be reciprocated axially. Yarn 27 from bobbin 28 is fed through guide 21 directly to the winding point on core 2. As shown the core extends through the setting oven 14. The hollow shaft 7 of FIGURES 1 and 2 is dispensed with. In other respects the embodiment is similar to that illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2.

In the preferred form of core and sleeve illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8, the core 2 is provided with 6 longitudinal ribs or teeth 23 and fitting closely into these ribs or teeth are teeth 23' cut internally in the sleeve 1.

Cores and cams are preferably readily removable so that they may be replaced by others of different characteristics and thus provide the facility for making a range of ditferent curled yarns.

The method of bringing about reciprocation of the core 2- by means of a cam acting on the core through connecting members and a shaft is only one example of many available methods of reciprocation and other mechanical devices or electromechanical or electromagnetic devices may be used.

A single cam or other reciprocating device may be coupled with two devices, such as are illustrated in the drawings, one on each side so as to make a double-headed machine producing two curled yarns simultaneously or with the same object a single shaft carrying a core at each end may be reciprocated by a device acting on its central portion. Such double-headed machines save space.

The curled yarns produced by the apparatus according to the invention may be employed for many different purposes and are particularly valuable in the production of imitations of human hair and certain animal furs, for example in the manufacture of toys or wigs and in articles of apparel.

The following is a typical example of the production of a curled yarn using a machine according to either of the embodiments shown in the drawings. The characteristics of the machine are adjusted to the following values:

Winding speed: 50 m./min.

Periphery of the core: 50 mm.

Reciprocation: 45 per minute, amplitude 3 mm. Setting temperature: 120 C.

Duration of the setting: 1 min.

The characteristics of the yarn employed are:

Composition: vinyl chloride (l5%)-vinylidene chloride copolymer coming directly from the spinning, unoiled Count: 12 strands, each of deniers Twist: 30 turns per metre.

A curled yarn is obtained in the form of a helix having a diameter of 16 mm.

I claim:

1. A machine for the continuous production of curled yarn, comprising a core and means for winding yarn thereon, a sleeve surrounding the core at a point upstream of the winding point, means for producing relative axial reciprocation between the core and the sleeve whereby the convolutions of yarn wound on the core are moved longitudinally along the core and means for setting the yarn in the coiled form.

2. A machine for the continuous production of curled yarns, comprising a core and means for winding yarn thereon, a sleeve fixed against translational movement and surrounding the core at a point upstream of the winding point, means for reciprocating the core within the sleeve whereby the convolutions of the yarn Wound on the core are moved longitudinally along the core and means for setting the yarn in the coiled form.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the core is connected through connecting members and a shaft to cam-operated reciprocating mechanism, the shaft is enclosed within and keyed to a hollow spindle provided with a driving whorl so that spindle and shaft rotate together but the shaft can reciprocate Within the hollow spindle, yarn passageways through the shaft and spindle extending to the winding point close to the core whereby yarn drawn through the passageways is, by rotation of the spindle, wound on the core and is moved along the core by reciprocation of the core within the sleeve.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein sleeve and core are keyed for rotation together while permitting reciprocation of the core within the sleeve, the sleeve being provided with a driving whorl, whereby rotation of the core serves to wind yarn thereon and reciprocation of the core within the sleeve serves to move the turns of yarn along the core.

5. A machine for the continuous production of curled yarn, comprising a core having substantially the same periphery over the length on which the yarn is wound and means for winding yarn thereon, a sleeve fixed against translational movement and surrounding the core at a point upstream of the winding point, means for reciprocating the core within the sleeve whereby the convolutions of the yarn wound on the core are moved longitudinally along the core and means for setting the yarn in the coiled form.

6. A machine for the continuous production of curled yarn, comprising a generally cylindrical core provided with longitudinal ribs and means for winding yarn thereon, a sleeve fixed against translational movement and surrounding the core at a point upstream of the winding point, the sleeve having internal teeth intermeshing with the ribs on the core, means for reciprocating the core within the sleeve whereby the convolutions of the yarn wound on the core are moved longitudinally along the core and means for setting the yarn in the coiled form.

7. A machine for the continuous production of curled yarn, comprising a core and means for winding yarn thereon, a sleeve fixed against translational movement yarn to support the turns of the yarn at a distance from the extension of the core.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Murphy Aug. 9, 1892 Buddecke Feb. 21, 1956 Nichols et a1. Mar. 24, 1959 Genovese Apr. 25, 1961 Fisher Jan. 8, 1963 

1. A MACHINE FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OF CURLED YARN, COMPRISING A CORE AND MEANS FOR WINDING YARN THEREON, A SLEEVE SURROUNDING THE CORE AT A POINT UPSTREAM OF THE WINDING POINT, MEANS FOR PRODUCING RELATIVE AXIAL RECIPROCATION BETWEEN THE CORE AND THE SLEEVE WHEREBY THE CONVOLUTIONS OF YARN WOUND ON THE CORE ARE MOVED LONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE CORE AND MEANS FOR SETTING THE YARN IN THE COILED FORM. 